U.S. patent number 8,374,586 [Application Number 11/516,614] was granted by the patent office on 2013-02-12 for method and system for transmission of images from a monitored area.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pima Electronic Systems Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Yakov Bentkovski, Moshe Borovitz. Invention is credited to Yakov Bentkovski, Moshe Borovitz.
United States Patent |
8,374,586 |
Bentkovski , et al. |
February 12, 2013 |
Method and system for transmission of images from a monitored
area
Abstract
A system and method including one or more cameras or other
sensors to monitor an area, and to transmit such images or sensory
data to a local hub that may include a cellular modem. The hub may
transmit images or data to a remote cellular handset, where a user
may view the images or data, and may transmit a signal back to the
hub to take an action in or relating to the area being monitored or
relating to the camera or sensor monitoring the area.
Inventors: |
Bentkovski; Yakov (Ness Ziona,
IL), Borovitz; Moshe (Tel Aviv, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bentkovski; Yakov
Borovitz; Moshe |
Ness Ziona
Tel Aviv |
N/A
N/A |
IL
IL |
|
|
Assignee: |
Pima Electronic Systems Ltd.
(Holon, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
39157661 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/516,614 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20080062258 A1 |
Mar 13, 2008 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/414.1;
701/117; 340/539.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
7/181 (20130101); H04N 21/2187 (20130101); H04N
5/23206 (20130101); H04N 21/41407 (20130101); H04N
21/42202 (20130101); G08B 13/19695 (20130101); G08B
13/19697 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
3/42 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WO 99/66746 |
|
Dec 1999 |
|
WO |
|
WO 01/71992 |
|
Sep 2001 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2005116947 |
|
Dec 2005 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2006083551 |
|
Aug 2006 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Doan; Phuoc
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Occhiuti Rohlicek & Tsao
LLP
Claims
We claim:
1. A system comprising: a plurality of cameras, to capture images
of an area and wirelessly transmit said images without resort to
Internet; and a central communication device in communication with
said plurality of cameras, said central communication device being
operative, without resort to Internet, to wirelessly receive said
images, to transmit said images over a cellular network to a remote
cellular device; and to receive a signal from said remote cellular
device, said signal including an instruction to at least one camera
of said plurality of cameras, the system also comprising a memory
to store identification data of a plurality of said remote cellular
devices, and wherein said central communication device is operative
to transmit said image to said plurality of said remote cellular
devices and to activate a communication channel among said
plurality of said remote cellular devices.
2. The system as in claim 1, wherein a camera of said plurality of
said cameras is housed in a unit, said unit comprising a sensor
selected from the group consisting of a motion detector,
microphone, smoke detector, temperature change detector, carbon
monoxide detector, flame detector, glass breakage detector and
personal identification sensor.
3. The system as in claim 2, wherein said communication device is
further to transmit to said remote cellular device non-image
sensory data collected by said sensor of said group of sensors.
4. The system as in claim 3, wherein said non-image sensory data
comprises sound data collected by said microphone.
5. A system according to claim 2 wherein said Unit is associated by
at least one of inclusion or connection with a transmitter/receiver
that transmits signals including sensory data collected by said
sensor and receives signals that control or alter a function or
functional state of a component of said unit.
6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said transmitter/receiver
transmits and receives signals over a wireless connection and
wherein said transmitter/receiver may be operative for using at
least one of infra red, radio frequency, and other electromagnetic
signals.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said signals transmitted
and received by said transmitter/receiver are sent using a protocol
such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, 802.11, 802.16.
8. A system according to claim 6 wherein said signals transmitted
and received by said transmitter/receiver are sent using a protocol
layer as IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, SMTP, POP3, MIME, HTTP or FTP.
9. A system according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said
plurality of camera is operative to transmit images wirelessly via
a radio frequency link to a hub.
10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said Hub is operative to
identify a remote user such as a cellular handset to whom data such
as such image is to be delivered.
11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said hub is operative to
transmit the data over a network to a user.
12. The system as in claim 1, wherein said central communication
device is to receive from said remote cellular device an
instruction selecting for viewing at said remote cellular device at
least one view of a camera of said plurality of cameras.
13. The system as in claim 1, comprising a processor to receive a
unique identifier from said remote cellular device and to confirm
authorization based on said unique identifier.
14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said authorization
comprises authorization to perform at least one of viewing an image
and issuing an instruction to the system, based on the unique
identifier.
15. The system as in claim 1, comprising a memory to record for
each of said plurality of cameras a plurality of criteria, and a
processor to select said remote cellular device for transmitting
thereto based on said criteria.
16. The system as in claim 15, wherein said criteria are selected
from the group consisting of a time of day, a day of week, a
security level associated with said remote cellular device, and a
location of an area appearing in said images.
17. The system as in claim 1, comprising a counter to count a
number of said images transmitted to said cellular communication
device.
18. The system as in claim 1, wherein said communication system
comprises a communication device to transmit said images over a
wired network.
19. The system as in claim 1, comprising a processor to issue a
second signal in response to said signal, said second signal to
activate a device to take an action in response to an element in
said image.
20. The system as in claim 19, wherein said action is selected from
the group consisting of sounding an alarm, turning on a light, and
activating a fire fighting device.
21. The system as in claim 1, comprising a memory to store said
image.
22. The system as in claim 1, wherein said communication device is
to issue a second signal to alter a setting of a camera of said
plurality of said cameras in response to said signal from said
remote cellular device.
23. The system as in claim 1, wherein said communication device
comprises a cellular modem.
24. The system as in claim 1, wherein said central communication
device is to transmit an identifier to said remote cellular device,
said identifier to appear on a screen of said remote cellular
device.
25. The system as in claim 1, wherein said central communication
device is to receive a signal from said remote cellular device,
said signal including an instruction to a security system in said
area.
26. The system as in claim 1, wherein said central communication
device is to receive a signal from said remote cellular device,
said signal including an instruction to activate a camera of said
plurality of cameras.
27. A method comprising: providing a plurality of cameras, to
capture images of an area and wirelessly transmit said images
without resort to Internet; and using a central communication
device in communication with said plurality of cameras, without
resort to Internet, to wirelessly receive said images, to transmit
said images over a cellular network to a remote cellular device;
and to receive a signal from said remote cellular device, said
signal including an instruction to at least one camera of said
plurality of cameras, the method also comprising providing a memory
to store identification data of a plurality of said remote cellular
devices, and wherein said central communication device is operative
to transmit said image to said plurality of said remote cellular
devices and to activate a communication channel among said
plurality of said remote cellular devices.
28. The method as in claim 27, further comprising transmitting said
image based on an alarm signal from said at least one camera.
29. The method as in claim 27, comprising transmitting to said
remote cellular device non-image sensory data collected in an area
displayed in said image.
30. The method of claim 27, further comprising receiving a command
signal from said remote cellular device to be executed by said at
least one of said plurality of cameras.
31. The method as in claim 30, comprising selecting said at least
one camera of said plurality of cameras in response to said command
signal from said remote cellular device.
32. The method as in claim 30, comprising confirming a unique
identifier transmitted from said remote cellular device as
associated with a user authorized to issue said command signal.
33. The method as in claim 30, comprising altering a setting of
said at least one camera of said plurality of cameras in response
to said command signal from said remote cellular device.
34. The method as in claim 27, wherein transmitting said image from
said communication device to said remote cellular device comprises
sending said image via a cellular modem included in said
communication device.
35. The method as in claim 27, wherein transmitting said image from
said communication device to said remote cellular device comprises
sending said image via a wired telephone connection.
36. The method as in claim 27, wherein transmitting said image from
said communication device to said remote cellular device comprises
sending said image via an IP network.
37. A method according to claim 27 wherein, a sensor such as a
camera from among said plurality of cameras wirelessly transmits an
image or image data from an area monitored by such camera to a
local device such as a hub that may be or include a cellular
modem.
38. A system comprising: a plurality of cameras, to capture images
of an area and wirelessly transmit said images without resort to
Internet; and a central communication device in communication with
said plurality of cameras, said central communication device being
operative, without resort to Internet, to wirelessly receive said
images, to transmit said images over a cellular network to a remote
cellular device; and to receive a signal from said remote cellular
device, said signal including an instruction to at least one camera
of said plurality of cameras, the system also comprising a
processor to receive a unique identifier from said remote cellular
device and to confirm authorization based on said unique
identifier, and wherein said authorization comprises authorization
to perform at least one of viewing an image and issuing an
instruction to the system, based on the unique identifier.
39. The system as in claim 38, wherein a camera of said plurality
of said cameras is housed in a unit, said unit comprising a sensor
selected from the group consisting of a motion detector,
microphone, smoke detector, temperature change detector, carbon
monoxide detector, flame detector, glass breakage detector and
personal identification sensor.
40. The system as in claim 39, wherein said communication device is
further to transmit to said remote cellular device non-image
sensory data collected by said sensor of said group of sensors.
41. The system as in claim 40, wherein said non-image sensory data
comprises sound data collected by said microphone.
42. A system according to claim 39 wherein said Unit is associated
by at least one of inclusion or connection with a
transmitter/receiver that transmits signals including sensory data
collected by said sensor and receives signals that control or alter
a function or functional state of a component of said unit.
43. A system according to claim 42 wherein said
transmitter/receiver transmits and receives signals over a wireless
connection and wherein said transmitter/receiver may be operative
for using at least one of infra red, radio frequency, and other
electromagnetic signals.
44. A system according to claim 43 wherein said signals transmitted
and received by said transmitter/receiver are sent using a protocol
such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, 802.11, 802.16.
45. A system according to claim 43 wherein said signals transmitted
and received by said transmitter/receiver are sent using a protocol
layer as IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, SMTP, POP3, MIME, HTTP or FTP.
46. A system according to claim 39 wherein at least one of said
plurality of camera is operative to transmit images wirelessly via
a radio frequency link to a hub.
47. A system according to claim 46 wherein said Hub is operative to
identify a remote user such as a cellular handset to whom data such
as such image is to be delivered.
48. A system according to claim 47 wherein said hub is operative to
transmit the data over a network to a user.
49. The system as in claim 38, wherein said central communication
device is to receive from said remote cellular device an
instruction selecting for viewing at said remote cellular device at
least one view of a camera of said plurality of cameras.
50. The system as in claim 38, comprising a memory to store
identification data of a plurality of said remote cellular devices,
and wherein said central communication device is to transmit said
image to said plurality of said remote cellular devices and to
activate a communication channel among said plurality of said
remote cellular devices.
51. The system as in claim 38, comprising a memory to record for
each of said plurality of cameras a plurality of criteria, and a
processor to select said remote cellular device for transmitting
thereto based on said criteria.
52. The system as in claim 51, wherein said criteria are selected
from the group consisting of a time of day, a day of week, a
security level associated with said remote cellular device, and a
location of an area appearing in said images.
53. The system as in claim 38, comprising a counter to count a
number of said images transmitted to said cellular communication
device.
54. The system as in claim 38, wherein said communication system
comprises a communication device to transmit said images over a
wired network.
55. The system as in claim 38, comprising a processor to issue a
second signal in response to said signal, said second signal to
activate a device to take an action in response to an element in
said image.
56. The system as in claim 55, wherein said action is selected from
the group consisting of sounding an alarm, turning on a light, and
activating a fire fighting device.
57. The system as in claim 38, comprising a memory to store said
image.
58. The system as in claim 38, wherein said communication device is
to issue a second signal to alter a setting of a camera of said
plurality of said cameras in response to said signal from said
remote cellular device.
59. The system as in claim 38, wherein said communication device
comprises a cellular modem.
60. The system as in claim 38, wherein said central communication
device is to transmit an identifier to said remote cellular device,
said identifier to appear on a screen of said remote cellular
device.
61. The system as in claim 38, wherein said central communication
device is to receive a signal from said remote cellular device,
said signal including an instruction to a security system in said
area.
62. The system as in claim 38, wherein said central communication
device is to receive a signal from said remote cellular device,
said signal including an instruction to activate a camera of said
plurality of cameras.
63. A method comprising: providing a plurality of cameras, to
capture images of an area and wirelessly transmit said images
without resort to Internet; and providing a central communication
device in communication with said plurality of cameras, said
central communication device being operative, without resort to
Internet, to wirelessly receive said images, to transmit said
images over a cellular network to a remote cellular device; and to
receive a signal from said remote cellular device, said signal
including an instruction to at least one camera of said plurality
of cameras, the method also comprising providing a processor to
receive a unique identifier from said remote cellular device and to
confirm authorization based on said unique identifier, and wherein
said authorization comprises authorization to perform at least one
of viewing an image and issuing an instruction to the system, based
on the unique identifier.
64. The method as in claim 63, further comprising transmitting said
image based on an alarm signal from said at least one camera.
65. The method as in claim 63, comprising transmitting to said
remote cellular device non-image sensory data collected in an area
displayed in said image.
66. The method of claim 63, further comprising receiving a command
signal from said remote cellular device to be executed by said at
least one of said plurality of cameras.
67. The method as in claim 66, comprising selecting said at least
one camera of said plurality of cameras in response to said command
signal from said remote cellular device.
68. The method as in claim 66, comprising confirming a unique
identifier transmitted from said remote cellular device as
associated with a user authorized to issue said command signal.
69. The method as in claim 66, comprising altering a setting of
said at least one camera of said plurality of cameras in response
to said command signal from said remote cellular device.
70. The method as in claim 63, wherein transmitting said image from
said communication device to said remote cellular device comprises
sending said image via a cellular modem included in said
communication device.
71. The method as in claim 63, wherein transmitting said image from
said communication device to said remote cellular device comprises
sending said image via a wired telephone connection.
72. The method as in claim 63, wherein transmitting said image from
said communication device to said remote cellular device comprises
sending said image via an IP network.
73. A method according to claim 63 wherein, a sensor such as a
camera from among said plurality of cameras wirelessly transmits an
image or image data from an area monitored by such camera to a
local device such as a hub that may be or include a cellular modem.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Security systems that provide an image of an area to be monitored
such as a field of regard or area of interest are known. Such
systems however, leave a user who views an event in a monitored
area without recourse as to an action to be taken or to a more in
depth view or analysis of the nature of the event that may appear
in an image.
There also are known camera units including a motion detector and
having a cellular transmitter/receiver system for transmitting a
picture to a mobile telephone in response to a received command or
in response to detected motion in the field of regard. However, for
a location having multiple areas of regard under surveillance,
deploying such multiple units would be an expensive and inefficient
solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In some embodiments, the invention includes a system having one or
more cameras, to capture images of an area and wirelessly transmit
the captured images, a central communication device that may
communicate with the cameras, where the central communication
device may wirelessly receive images from the cameras, transmit the
images over a cellular network to a remote cellular device such as
for example a cellular telephone, and receive a signal from the
remote cellular device, where the signal may include for example an
instruction to one or more cameras. In some embodiments, one or
more of the cameras may be housed in a unit, that may include for
example a sensor such as a motion detector, microphone, smoke
detector, temperature change detector, carbon monoxide detector,
flame detector, glass breakage detector and personal identification
sensor.
In some embodiments, the communication device may transmit to a
remote cellular device non-image sensory data collected by the
sensor. In some embodiments, the non-image sensory data may include
for example sound data collected by a microphone. In some
embodiments the central communication device may receive from a
remote cellular device such as for example a cellular telephone, an
instruction selecting for viewing at the remote cellular device at
least one view of a camera. In some embodiments, a system may
include a processor to receive a unique identifier from a remote
cellular device and to confirm authorization to view an image or
issue an instruction to the system, based on the unique identifier.
In some embodiments, the invention may include a memory to store
identification data of one or more remote cellular devices, and the
communication device may transmit an image to the remote cellular
communication devices and may open for example a communication
channel, such as a conference call among more than one remote
cellular devices.
In some embodiments a system may include a memory to record for one
or more cameras, one or more criteria, such as a location
designation or password of a camera, and may include a processor to
select a remote cellular communication device to control
transmitting to such camera based on said criteria. In some
embodiments, the criteria may include a time of day, a day of week,
a security level associated with a remote cellular device, and a
location of an area appearing in an image produced by a camera.
In some embodiments, a system may include a counter to count a
number of images transmitted to a remote cellular communication
device.
In some embodiments a system may include a communication device to
transmit an image over a wired network.
In some embodiments, a system may include a processor to issue
another signal in response to a first signal, where the another
signal is to activate a device to take an action in response to an
element in the image. In some embodiments, the action may include
for example activating an alarm, turning on a light, and activating
a fire fighting device. In some embodiments, a system may include a
memory to store image data. In some embodiments, the communication
device may issue a second signal to alter a setting of a camera in
response to a signal from a remote cellular device. In some
embodiments, the communication device may include a cellular modem.
In some embodiments a central communication device is to transmit
an identifier to a remote cellular device, where the identifier
appears on a screen of the remote cellular device. In some
embodiments, the central communication device is to receive a
signal from a remote cellular device, where the signal includes an
instruction to a security system in the area where the cameras are
located.
In some embodiments, the central communication device may receive a
signal from a remote cellular device, where the signal includes an
instruction to activate a camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of components of a security system
with image transmission and communication capabilities according to
embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with embodiments
of the invention.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily
been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements
for clarity. Similarly one or several physical components may be
included in one functional block or element or divided into more
than one functional unit or element. Some of the blocks depicted in
the figures may be combined into a single function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
methods, procedures, components and circuits may not have been
described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for
collecting and transmitting images of one or more fields of regard
or areas of interest monitored by a security system and for
executing actions directed by a recipient of such images. These
implementations may be integrated into existing devices using
firmware embedded in, for example, a hub or other hardware
device.
The invention is described below in the context of a security
system or remote look-in system. However, it will be apparent to
persons skilled in the art that the invention may also be suitable
for other systems or devices that call for remote look in response
to images transmitted over wireless or wired networks.
Reference is made to FIG. 1, a simplified diagram of components of
a security or monitoring system with communication capabilities
according to embodiments of the present invention. In some
embodiments, system 90 may monitor or provide or capture still or
video images of a field of regard or area of interest 138 that may
be covered by a security, alarm or other monitoring system. In some
embodiments, a system 90 may include one or more image sensors or
cameras 100 such as digital or analog or video cameras that may be
housed in a unit 102 that may be mounted, hidden or otherwise
placed in area 138, and that may provide a view of a part or all of
area 138. For example, one or more units 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D may
be placed in various rooms around a house or office, where
different cameras 100 of such units 102 provide views of different
rooms or offices.
In addition to camera 100, a unit 102 may include other sensors
such as for example a motion detector 114, a microphone 116 or
other sound collector or detector, a smoke detector 118, flame
detector, carbon monoxide detector, glass-breakage detector, a
thermometer or temperature change detector 120, and a personal
identification sensor 122 such as for example a voice sensor or
other biometric sensor that may identify a person on the basis of
physical characteristics or input codes. Unit 102 may also include
a visible or invisible (such as infra red) light source 121 that
may illuminate area 138 near such unit 102 upon certain conditions
such as a trigger from a motion detector 114. In some embodiments,
unit 102 may include a processor 107 that may include digital
signal processing capabilities.
Unit 102 may also include or be connected to a transmitter/receiver
103 that may transmit signals such as signals including sensory
data that may be collected by a sensor included in unit 102, and
that may receive signals that may for example control or alter a
function or functional state of a sensor or other component of unit
102. For example, signal 112 may be or include an instruction to
turn a camera 100 on or off, to adjust an angle of images captured
by the camera 100, or to digitally zoom, pan, or tilt a camera 100,
or to mechanically zoom, pan or tilt the camera 100.
In some embodiments modem 106 may be or include one or more of a
cellular modem, a dialup modem, a cable modem or other modem 106
capable of receiving and/or delivering signals over a network 108
such as for example a phone network, an IP network or other wired
or wireless networks.
In some embodiments, transmitter/receiver 103 may transmit and
receive signals over a wireless connection such as for example
using infra red, radio frequency, or other electromagnetic signals.
Such signals may be sent using a protocol such as Bluetooth,
ZigBee, 802.11, 802.16 or other protocols layers as IP, TCP, UDP,
DNS, SMTP, POP3, MIME, HTTP or FTP or over other suitable signal
transmission formats. In some embodiments, transmitter/receiver 103
may be or include a PSTN, POTS dialup modem, and may support for
example V.92, V.90, V.34, V24, V22, V21, and other POTS modem
protocols or SMS (over PSTN). Transmitter/receiver 103 may operate
over an IP network such as for example a secured 10/100Base-T LAN.
Other protocols, systems and communication media are possible.
In some embodiments, transmitter/receiver 103 may be contained in a
single component. In some embodiments, functions of
transmitter/receiver 103 may be divided between two or more
components.
In some embodiments, hub 104 may be or include a local
communication device that may be located in area 138 or in another
location. Hub 104 may include one or more modems 106 or other
mechanisms to transmit digital signals over a communication network
108. In some embodiments, cellular modem may operate over for
example a GSM, GPRS, UMTS, EDGE or other cellular network, and may
transmit messages to remote cellular device using a SMS, MMS, IP,
TCP, MIME, FTP or other protocols such as for example IMP-IP
multi-media protocol.
In operation, a camera 100 of a unit 102 may capture one or more
images of area 138 in response to a motion or other condition
detected in area 138, and may transmit such images for example
wirelessly via a radio frequency link to hub 104. Hub 104 may
identify a remote user such as a cellular handset 110 to whom such
image or other data is to be delivered, and may transmit the data
over a network 108 to the user. A user may view the image and may
in some embodiments respond by transmitting for example a signal
112 over a network 108 to hub 104 or to some other component
suitable to effect an action in area 138. For example, a signal 112
may activate or deactivate a light 134, an alarm 132, a lock,
fire-fighting equipment 136 or other response mechanism. Signal 112
may activate for example a speaker or microphone 116 to enable a
user to see and communicate with an intruder or other person in
area 138 in real time. In some embodiments, home automation control
may be implemented using for example a X10 transceiver that may
communicate with automation control equipment upon a standard
protocol.
In some embodiments camera 100 may include one or more focusing
mechanisms or image alteration functions that may for example alter
a setting of camera 100 such as for example a focus, zoom, depth or
other characteristics of an image to be captured. In some
embodiments such mechanisms or functions may be activated by a
signal originating from handset 110. Such signal from handset 110
may be for example received by hub 104 or by some other mechanism,
and hub 104 may transmit a signal to for example a specific unit
102 to alter a setting of a sensor of such unit 102.
Modem 106 in hub 104 may collect one or more signals such as one or
more images from camera 100 or a multiple of cameras 100. Hub 104
may transmit one or more images or other data over network 108 such
as a cellular or other network to for example a cellular handset
110 or other personal cellular receiver. In some embodiments hub
104 may include or be connected to modem 106 or to another modem
that may be connected to a line 128 that may link to a wired
network 130 such as a local area network or wide area network. In
some embodiments, images collected by camera 100 may also be
transmitted over a wired network 130 or wireless LAN to for example
a local or remote PC.
In some embodiments, handset 110 may display for example one or
more menus that may let a user for example select a camera 100 or
unit 102 whose data is to be transmitted. Another menu or selection
on handset 110 may let a user select a response action to be taken
by for example light 134, alarm 132, fire-fighting equipment 136 or
other alarm or response mechanism to an element in area 138, such
as for example an intruder, a fire, a person with a medical
emergency or other elements. In some embodiments, a program or
instructions to operate such menu and functions from handset 110
may be included in for example a JAVA applet that need not be
downloaded separately into handset 110, such as for example one
that uses a WAP server.
In some embodiments, a processor in for example hub 104 may send an
image or other sensory data collected from unit 102 to more than
one handset 110 and 110A, and may establish a conference call or
other multi-party communication channel between such handset 110
and 110A so that for example both parents of a child may view an
image transmitted from area 138, or so that a resident of a home
included in area 138 may speak with for example law enforcement or
emergency service officials who see the images and hear the user on
handset 110. In some embodiments images may be sent to a screen,
monitor or other display that is not connected to a handset 110,
over a network 130 such as a telephone network, local area network,
wide area network, etc. In some embodiments, images or messages
sent over such other network 130 may serve as a back up to images
sent over a wireless network 108, if a user cannot be reached over
such wireless network 108. Other uses are possible.
In some embodiment, a camera 100, unit 102 or for example a
processor in for example hub 104 or elsewhere may include
identification information of the location of unit 102 or of the
part of area 138 that is the subject of the image. In some
embodiments, a user may be required to input a password or other
unique identification or security clearance to receive access to
images of a particular area. A memory 124 that may be in or
connected with hub 104 may store an index or data base of users or
handsets 110, and may associate such users or their identification
numbers with the parts of area 138 or images from cameras 100 that
such user or handset 110 is permitted to view. Other criteria or
policies may be included in such index or data base. For example, a
night security officer may be given access to images of a warehouse
at off-hours but not during business hours or at other times of
day. A shipping office may be given access to images of a shipping
area but not of a boardroom. Other criteria are possible. In some
embodiments, a user may program or enter criteria or policies in
response to an image or event. For example, a user may grant
viewing access to other users in the event that lie detects an
emergency in a particular area. In some embodiments an image may be
encrypted, and a proposed viewer of the event may have to
authenticate access or identity in order to view the images.
In some embodiments, a processor or counter 126 within hub 104 or
elsewhere may count a number of images or frames that are
transmitted to or over network 108 or to handset 110, and a charge
to a user may be accrued based upon such number of flames or
viewing time transmitted to a user. Other bases for charging for
use of the system are possible.
In some embodiments, a memory 124 in hub 104 or in another location
may store one or more images or other sensory data, and may
transmit such data to a handset 110 or other device upon a signal
or other command from for example a remote device. In some
embodiments, images or video may be stored in a memory of a sensor
such as camera 100 and may be transmitted to hub 104 in for example
batches or at other intervals.
In some embodiments, hub 104 or another device may deliver for
example an email, SMS, MMS, WAP or other notification or message
that an image of area 138 has been delivered to him or is ready to
be viewed. In some embodiments, such a message may contain for
example still images. In some embodiments, such a message may for
example begin or initiate a video streaming function or may invite
the user to connect to another network to view other images, such
as may be included in an email, IM or other message.
In some embodiments, unit 100 or hub 104 may include for example a
mass data storage device such as a flash or disc drive that may
store for example video or a multitude of images. In some
embodiments, the mass data storage device may be linked to a
computer via a USB, and back up of images or video may be stored
onto the memory. In some embodiments, parameters of camera 100 or
hub 104 may be configured via a USB link through hub 104.
Reference is made to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of a method in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In block 200, a
sensor such as a camera may wirelessly transmit an image or image
data from an area monitored by such camera to a local device such
as a hub, that is or includes, for example, a cellular modem.
In block 202 the hub by way of for example its cellular modem may
transmit the image data to a remote cellular device such as a
cellular handset. In some embodiments, the hub may include a caller
ID along with the data that is sent to the user so that a user may
easily identify the source of a call from the hub by data that
appears on a screen of the cellular device before the call is
answered. In some embodiments, a caller-ID may be used or
referenced for identifying a user who may request access to an
image or other data collected by a sensor.
In block 204, a user of the cellular handset who may view the image
may transmit a signal over the cellular network, back to the hub,
and such signal may be received by the hub. The hub may transmit a
signal back to the sensor or camera to for example alter a setting
of the camera. The hub may send a signal to another device in an
area that may observed by the camera or elsewhere to set off an
alarm or take other responsive action. In some embodiments, a
signal from the remote cellular device may select another camera
whose images are to be transmitted to the user. In some
embodiments, a user may be requested to identify itself to the hub
by for example inputting a unique identifier such as for example a
password that may confirm an identity of the user to the hub. Once
identified, the hub may transmit other images from for example
other cameras to the remote cellular device.
In some embodiments, the data sent from a camera or sensor to the
hub and then on to the remote cellular device may include non-image
data such as for example identification data of the camera or
sensor that produced the image, installation sequence parameters or
temperature or other sensory data. In some embodiments, a location,
zone or area of the camera of the area viewed by the camera may be
transmitted along with an image so that a user can easily identify
the location or zone appearing in the transmitted image.
In some embodiments, a user or operator may activate some or all of
the sensors or cameras by for example sending a signal to for
example a hub.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited
number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that may variations,
modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.
Embodiments of the present invention may include other apparatuses
for performing the operations herein. Such apparatuses may
integrate the elements discussed, or may comprise alternative
components to carry out the same purpose. It will be appreciated by
persons skilled in the art that the appended claims are intended to
cover all such modifications and changes fall within the true
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *